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Interview – Street Diner

Cast your mind back to Friday’s of yore and think about how your last lunch break was spent? Dull sandwiches, a packet of cheese and onion crisps and a Wagon Wheel all consumed whilst hiding in the toilets because you can’t stand everyone you work with?

Think on. There is a new and exciting Friday lunchtime alternative and it is right on our doorstep.

Street Diner is the street food market brain child of Christine Angus and Kate O’Sullivan, two local lasses with a hungry appetite and enthusiasm to start a food revolution in the heart of the city. I spoke with Christina who was more than happy to share the Street Diner journey.

“With so much amazing produce on our doorstep, Kate and I couldn’t figure out why anything wasn’t going on down here…we knew there was a plethora of traders with many not having a platform to sell their food” Christina states.

Taking influence from the London food scene, herself and Kate wanted to encourage “job creation, food discovery and a platform to share”. The community outlook is greatly supported by working in partnership with the Brighthelm Centre and helping “rejuvenate” that patch.

Bustling community vibe at Street Diner.

Once word got out that Brighton was to be playing host to a new street food market, “the news spread like wildfire” with Christina and Kate taking every chance under the sun to PR the launch.

“I mean, Twitter has been incredible, both as a platform to meet, introduce and share” says Christina, sounding slightly in awe of her own accomplishment when asked if she anticipated the snowballing triumph of the weekly market.

Dead Good Burrito – one of the many traders at Street Diner.

Every Friday Street Diner plays host to a stupendous array of street food from across the globe, all whilst staying “as local as possible” says Christina.

Every week Street Diner hosts guest spots that are also proving hugely popular as a way for restaurants, pop ups and cafes to showcase their trade. Most recently Sam’s Of Brighton have been hosting their succulent lamb burgers and supper club sweetheart Tina Cantina has been lovingly trading her gourmet nibbles and lunch-boxes.

Traders are immensely passionate about what they provide and are always more than willing to stop and talk with hungry customers about where they source their produce and the ethos behind their stall.

After running summertime popups at both the usual spot and The Level, I ask Christina is further expansion is planned for the winter months. “We’re definitely staying at the Brighthelm… with a view to trade on a second day on a different patch” she replied honesty.

Long gone are the days of stale office chit chat and everyone knows that the weekend begins on Friday lunchtimes. So, head down to Street Diner with an open mind and try something new for lunch.

Originally printed in the Brighton and Hove Independent Newspaper 4/10/13